‘Only he can explain’ – Emery on Watkins’ absence and Villa’s heavy defeat to Brighton | OneFootball

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery refused to explain Ollie Watkins’ absence from their 4-0 defeat to Brighton, instead directing questions over the striker’s situation to his agent.

Watkins was left out of Villa’s squad for the heavy defeat as Emery’s men conceded four first-half goals, with uncertainty over his future amid interest from Al Hilal.

“This question is for him. I can answer only with my silence,” Emery said on Watkins.

Asked whether Watkins had refused to play, Emery replied: “I think you call his agent and he can respond.”

Pressed on whether he felt let down by the striker, Emery added: “He can only explain his answer, I can’t.”

Emery insisted Villa have dealt with similar situations during the transfer window in recent years, while praising the players who featured against Brighton despite the difficult circumstances.

“The players here today are keeping the mentality I want for the team. Not complaining or blaming, even with a tough result today.

“In the last three years, until the transfer window finishes, we have had problems like we are having now,” he said.

“We made some mistakes and they scored goals in 25 minutes – we lost everything,” he said.

“It was a strange moment that we had, conceding four goals, it’s not normal. We were lost a little bit emotionally.”